Valve with perforated ribbon silencing element

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is of a silent valve in which outlet flow is in a radial direction. Intermediate the valve closure member and the outlet passage is an annular flow retarding member formed by a coiled ribbon of perforated sheet material wrapped onto itself in several layers with holes therethrough overlapping to form communicating orifices. Preferably, the ribbon is sufficiently thick that the holes form expansion chambers producing further energy loss. Holes across the width of the ribbon are uncovered progressively as the closure member moves toward open position.

United States Patent 1191 Parola 1451 Mar. 27, 1973 54 VALVE WITHPERFORATED RIBBON 2,642,254 6/1953 Armstrong .2251 118 x SILENCINGELEMENT 2,818,880 1/1958 Ratelband 3,513,864 5/l970 Self r. [751 InventMmaga' 3,514,074 5/1970 Self ..251/127 [73] Assignee: Grove Valve andRegulator Company, Oakland, Calif. Primary ExaminerHenry T. Klinksiek 1h Filed: Dec. 7 Attorney Me v1n R St1d am [21] Appl. No.: 203,561 [57]ABSTRACT The disclosure is of a silent valve in which outlet flow [52]US. Cl. ..251/127, l37/625.28, 137/6253, is in a radial direction.Intermediate the valve closure 7 member and the outlet passage is anannular flow re- [Sl] IIILCI ..F16k 47/00 ta ding member formed by agoiled ribbon of per- Field 0| Search 3, 205, forated sheet materialwrapped onto itself in several 137/62518r62531625-37;Isl/3266,67; layerswith holes therethrough overlapping to form I I 138/41 communicatingorifices. Preferably, the ribbon is sufficiently thick that the holesform expansion chambers 1 [56] Ree'ences Cited producing further energyloss. Holes across the width UNITED STATES PATENTS of the ribbon areuncovered progressively as the closure member moves toward openposition. 871,775 11/1907 Blanchard et al ..251/l27 X 2,483,163 9/1949Warren et a1 ..251/118 9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures as is Patented March27, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 48 t 44 as WHIL JElE-Efi- INVENTOR GARY o.PAROLA BY MMI K M A ORNEY Patented March 27, 1973 3,722,854

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GARY D. PAROLA ATTORNEY Patented March 27,1973 FIE-E- NNNNNN OR Patented March 27, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 O0 GO GO00 6@ 0 00 O O O 6% 0 0O 0 00 0(0) 000 0G0 O00 O00 C000 0000 0000 0000 F0 o 62 GO Flin -7 INVENTOR GARY D. PAROLA ATTORNEY Patented March 27,1973 3,722,854

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 WWW LLLL

:EJDEIUE [I] [111:1 mmmmmmmmmmmmmc [15515535515555] DUDE] FILE-11-ATTORNEY VALVE WITH PERFORATED RIBBON SILENCING ELEMENT BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to a silent valve, and moreparticularly, to a valve provided with means for greatly retarding thevelocity of fluid flow through it when the valve is opened.

Fluid flowing at high velocity, as through a valve, may generate anobjectionably high noise level. This may be particularly objectionablein certain installations, as for example, in gas systems on navalvessels, such as submarines. In addition, high velocity fluid flowthrough the valve is likely to cause erosion, particularly if vapor oroil droplets are entrained in the fluid stream.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide avalve which is capable of silent operation. 4

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve structure withmeans for greatly retarding the velocity of fluid flow therethrough.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device forretarding fluid flow, which has progressively increasing flow capacityas the valve moves toward full BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In oneembodiment of this invention, a central inlet flow port is closed by anaxially operated valve closure plug engaging a seat. A valve operatingstem is moved in opposite directions to open and close the valve. One ormore outlet passages are located radially outward of the valve closureplug in spaced relationship thereto, and interposed between the plug andthe outlet passage is an annular, flow retarding member in which theplug is guided.

The flow retarding member comprises a coiled ribbon of sheet materialwrapped into a plurality of layers. The ribbon has openings over itssurface with the dimensions across the-openings being greater than thespaces between them to insure overlapping communication. Of course,there are more openings in the outer layers by reason of the greatercircumferences thereof, to provide progressively increasing flow pathsfrom inside to outside of the coiled ribbon. -If the ribbon is thickenough, each hole becomes an expansion chamber. Hence, there are energylosses through friction, turning of the flow stream expansion throughprogressively increasing flow paths, and repetitive expansion in theindividual expansion chambers. The resultant high energy loss greatlyreduces the average velocity and, hence, the sound level. The valve plugmay be guided in the coiled ribbon itself, or the ribbon may be woundonto a perforated guide sleeve. In any through the sleeve in radiallyoutward expanding flowpaths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectionview of a valve embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section view of a'guide sleeve and perforatedribbon silencer comprising features of this invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial vertical section views of other valveembodiments incorporating features of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a perforated ribbon comprising a feature ofthis invention;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section view of the perforated ribbon of FIG. 5wrapped on a valve guide sleeve;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another ribbon embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section view of the ribbon of 7 FIG. 7 wrapped ona guide sleeve;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views of other ribbon embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of applying perforated ribbon to a guidesleeve; 7

FIG. 12 is a vertical section view of another valve embodiment,incorporating features of this invention;

and

FIG. 13 is a partial section view of a variant of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The Embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the silencing device10 of this invention may be incorporated in a valve body 12 having inletand outlet passages 14 and 16 bored therein. A vertical bore 18 bringsthe inlet passageway into communication with a counterbore 20 in whichis received a valve seat 22 of a suitable plastic, with an O-ring 24sealing around the counterbore 20. A valve closure member 26 is slidablyreceived in a valve guide sleeve 28 with suitable sealing means such asan O-ring 29, sealing around the closure member 26. The closure member26 may be moved upward from the closed position in which it is shown bymovement of a valve stem 30 by any suitable means (not shown). In theclosed position shown, the annular end 32 of the closure member 26firmly engages the valve seat 22 to seal off the inlet passage l4, 18.

The guide sleeve 28 has a series of flow openings 34 around itscircumference and extending along a portion of its length correspondingapproximately to the diameter of the outlet passage 16. Grooves 36around the outer surface of the guide sleeve 28 connect the openings 34for better distribution of pressure around the circumference of thesleeve 28.

Carried on the bottom 38 of a large bore 39 is the silencer 10,comprising a coil of perforated ribbon 40 with a plurality of rows ofholes 42 which are large enough to insure that those in successive wrapsof the ribbon coil will be in communication, thus providing a series ofrestricted orifices intermediate a series of expansion chambers, thesizes of which are determined by the diameter of the holes and thethickness of the ribbon. The repetitive fluid expansion provided by therestricted orifices and the expansion chambers greatly retards flow andcauses energy loss for silent operation.

A retainer sleeve 44 is secured above the ribbon by any suitable means(not shown) to hold the ribbon coil 10 in place. O-rings 46 and 48provide a seal between the retainer ring 44 and the large bore 39 andbetween retainer ring and the valve guide sleeve 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holes 42 in the ribbon are of substantially thesame size and are formed in spaced rows along the length of the ribbon.However, when viewed in any vertical section as in FIG. 1, they appearto be of varying sizes because any particular cross-section willintersect the holes at different chords thereof.

The Embodiment of FIG. 3

In FIG. 3, the silencer coil 10a is of a shorter axial length andinterposed between it and the retainer ring 44 is a full flow ring 50having large capacity openings 52 therethrough. Hence, as the valveclosure 26 moves axially away from the seat 22, it progressively exposesmore and more openings 34 of the guide sleeve and, hence, more and moreopenings 42a in the perforated ribbon 40a. Then, after the initialopening of the valve 26, with the sudden rush of high pressure fluidretarded and silenced by the perforated ribbon coil 10a, the valve maybe opened to full flow capacity through the large openings 50in the fullflow ring 50.

The Embodiment of FIG. 4

In FIG. 4, the perforated ribbon silencer coil 10 is disposed in a valvebody 12a similar to that shown in FIG. 3, but having a tubular valveclosure 54 through which fluid flows from an inlet passageway (notshown) to the openings 34 in the valve guide sleeve 28. In thisembodiment, the perforated ribbon coil 10 extends completely across thelength of the outlet passage 16 as in FIG. 1.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 5 & 6

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the perforated ribbon 56 has holes 58 therein whichare arranged in staggered rows. Hence, with the ribbon coiled, a hole 58in one row may actually overlap two holes of an adjacent, staggered rowso that there is even greater expansion, with correspondingly greaterenergy loss.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 In the perforated ribbon 60 of FIG. 7,there are provided a number of elongated slots 62 in at least some ofthe rows, in addition to the holes 64, in order to provide greaterexpansion and distribution of pressure around the circumference of theribbon in various layers thereof. The slots 62 are preferably formed oflengths equal to the circumference of the wrapped ribbon at theparticular layer in which it will be disposed in order to providepressure distribution completely around the silencer coil.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 In FIGS. 9 and 10, there are shownother perforated ribbon configurations 66 and 68, other than those withcircular holes as previously described. For example, the

ribbon may comprise a series of slots of rectangular or otherconfigurations as in FIG. 9, or may simply be formed with square holes72 or of screening or the like as shown in FIG. 10.

The Embodiment of FIG. 11

Whatever ribbon configuration is selected, the ribbon may be applied tothe guide sleeve 28 as shown in FIG. 11 by spot welding one end 74 ofthe ribbon 76 to a tapered groove 78 cut along the length of the guidesleeve 28 and thereafter by simply wrapping the ribbon 76 around in aplurality of layers.

The Embodiment of FIG. 12

In FIG. 12, the silencing device 80 is applied to a flexible tube typevalve 82 comprising a cylindrical body tube 84 with annular closureplates 86 and 88 clamped thereto by means of studs 90 engaging throughinlet and outlet flange plates 92 and 94. 0- rings 96 provide a sealbetween the closure plates 86, 88 and the flange plates 92, 94 andanother O-ring 98 is provided to seal between the inlet closure plate 86and the body tube 84. Carried within the valve body is a core tube 100having inlet and outlet flow slots 102 and 104 with a barrier 106 beingdisposed across the core l00 intermediate the two circumferential rowsof slots.

'upstream pressure allowing the tube to expand and enable flow aroundthe barrier 106 and into the outlet slots 104.

In accordance with this invention, an annular recess 118 is formedaround the core of a width slightly greater than the length of theoutlet slots. A perforated ribbon 120 is wrapped around the recessedcircumference of the core tube to cover the outlet slots and form, as inthe other embodiments herein described, a coiled silencer 80 having aseries of restrictive orifices and expansion chambers.

The Embodiment of FIG. 13

In accordance with FIG. 13, a silencing coil 124 with staggered holes126 therethrough may be mounted on the core 128 with the upstream endseated in a recess 130, which is formed around the inside of the barrier132. An overlapping portion 134 of the barrier 132 covers holes 126adjacent the upstream end of the coil and the flexible tube 108 coversthe downstream end to reduce the effective length of the silencing coilwhich is exposed to flow around the barrier. By reason of the staggereddisposition of adjacent rows of holes the flow can, in effect, radiateoutward to exit internally over the full length of the coil. Hence,there is an expanding flow capacity from the outer diameter to the innerdiameter of the silencing coil 124. A stiffener ring 136 is provided atthe downstream end of the core 128.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with preferredembodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes may bemade by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A valve structure comprising:

a body having a centrally disposed inlet port,

an outlet port,

a flow passageway in said body from said inlet port toward said outletport,

at least a portion of said passageway extending radially,

an annular flow retarding member in said portion of the passageway,

a valve closure member operable to expose said flow retarding memberprogressively across its width for flow therethrough,

said flow retarding member comprising:

a sleeve formed of a plurality of layers of sheet material,

a multiplicity of through openings in each layer of said sleeve, thedimensions across said openings being greater than the spacing betweenthem whereby openings in adjacent layers overlap.

2. The valve structure defined by claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said layers is relatively thick whereby each throughopening therein functions as an expansion chamber for fluid entering theorifice formed with an opening itoverlaps.

3. The valve structure defined by claim 1 wherein:

said flow retarding sleeve-is formed by a coiled ribbon of perforatedsheet material.

4. The valve structure defined by claim 3 wherein:

said sheet material is screening.

5. The valve structure defined by claim 1 including:

a flow distributing slot in at least one of said layers extendingsubstantially around the circumference thereof.

6. The valve structure defined by claim 1 wherein:

said closure member is a valve plug movable axially to cover and uncoversaid inlet port, and including:

a cylindrical guide sleeve on which said flow retarding sleeve iscarried,

said guide sleeve having a plurality of holes therethrough to provideflow paths from within said guide sleeve outward through the throughopenings in said flow retarding sleeve.

7. The valve structure defined by claim 1 wherein:

said flow retarding sleeve is adjacent said inlet port and extends alongless than the full stroke of valve plug movement, and including:

means providing high capacity flow after said valve plug moves beyondsaid flow retarding sleeve.

8. The valve structure defined by claim 1 wherein: said closure memberis a flexible sleeve and including:

a barrier between said inlet and outlet ports normally snugly embracedby said flexible sleeve, and

said flow retarding sleeve is disposed downstream of said barrier.

9. The valve structure defined by claim 1 including: means around oneend of said barrier and blocking flow into through openings adjacentsaid one end.

1. A valve structure comprising: a body having a centrally disposedinlet port, an outlet port, a flow passageway in said body from saidinlet port toward said outlet port, at least a portion of saidpassageway extending radially, an annular flow retarding member in saidportion of the passageway, a valve closure member operable to exposesaid flow retarding member progressively across its width for flowtherethrough, said flow retarding member comprising: a sleeve formed ofa plurality of layers of sheet material, a multiplicity of throughopenings in each layer of said sleeve, the dimensions across saidopenings being greater than the spacing between them whereby openings inadjacent layers overlap.
 2. The valve structure defined by claim 1wherein: at least one of said layers is relatively thick whereby eachthrough opening therein functions as an expansion chamber for fluidentering the orifice formed with an opening it overlaps.
 3. The valvestructure defined by claim 1 wherein: said flow retarding sleeve isformed by a coiled ribbon of perforated sheet material.
 4. The valvestructure defined by claim 3 wherein: said sheet material is screening.5. The valve structure defined by claim 1 including: a flow distributingslot in at least one of said layers extending substantially around thecircumference thereof.
 6. The valve structure defined by claim 1wherein: said closure member is a valve plug movable axially to coverand uncover said inlet port, and including: a cylindrical guide sleeveon which said flow retarding sleeve is carried, said guide sleeve havinga plurality of holes therethrough to provide flow paths from within saidguide sleeve outward through the through openings in said flow retardingsleeve.
 7. The valve structure defined by claim 1 wherein: said flowretarding sleeve is adjacent said inlet port and extends along less thanthe full stroke of valve plug movement, and including: means providinghigh capacity flow after said valve plug moves beyond said flowretarding sleeve.
 8. The valve structure defined by claim 1 wherein:said closure member is a flexible sleeve and including: a barrierbetween said inlet and outlet ports normally snugly embraced by saidflexible sleeve, and said flow retardiNg sleeve is disposed downstreamof said barrier.
 9. The valve structure defined by claim 1 including:means around one end of said barrier and blocking flow into throughopenings adjacent said one end.